SK Telecom (SKT) and Singtel have formed a partnership aimed at jointly developing telecommunications networks to foster innovation, enhance network performance and security, and elevate customer experiences over the next two years. The agreement includes plans to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and orchestration tools, as well as to deepen expertise in network virtualization and other key technologies essential for advancing towards 6G.
“The collaboration between SKT and Singtel marks a significant first step in shaping the future of the global telecommunications industry”, SKT head of ICT Infra Jong-ryeol Kang said. “By combining the strengths of both companies, we aim to achieve significant advancements in next-generation communication technologies such as 6G and AI infrastructure”.
SKT and Singtel's collaboration will focus on enhancing network-slicing capabilities and exploring different ways to deploy dedicated, customized network segments to better serve societal and industry requirements. Additionally, both firms are committed to developing a fully disaggregated mobile network, aiming for a more adaptable, cost-efficient, and scalable approach to network architecture and administration.
Their strategy involves utilizing Singtel's telco cloud, which provides scalable and flexible network components spanning core, transport, and radio access networks. The partnership also entails SKT and Singtel collaborating on standardized telco application programming interfaces (APIs) through an open gateway, fostering an interoperable and federated network with open standard APIs.
This open gateway aims to expedite the development and expansion of services across fintech, identity, smart mobility, gaming, and Web3 sectors, simplifying the creation and deployment of new services that can seamlessly integrate into networks. For managing 6G networks, SKT and Singtel will jointly develop orchestration platforms such as Singtel CUBE. This suite of network solutions enables enterprises to centrally manage multiple services and vendors through a digital portal, enhancing automation and coordination of network functions for efficient and seamless service delivery.
“As a global leader in 5G technology, we’re keen to capitalize on the myriad of capabilities this technology has to offer, especially in the areas of network slicing and with the inclusion of AI”, added Anna Yip, Singtel’s deputy CEO and CEO of business development for Singapore. “With SKT, we’re looking to not only enhance the experience of our customers but also to drive industry innovation and help us prepare for the evolution of 6G”.
Furthermore, SKT and Singtel announced their collaboration on producing a white paper detailing advancements in virtualization, network slicing, and network evolution. This effort aims to assist global telcos in leveraging 5G capabilities and preparing for 6G. Additionally, they will collaborate on enhancing network capabilities, including developing edge-AI infrastructure. This initiative seeks to alleviate the computational load on centralized cloud environments through edge computing and enhance AI inference capabilities. These advancements are anticipated to not only improve connectivity but also offer unique AI services to customers and expedite service restoration, thereby enhancing overall customer experience.